University teams up with India to fight back against superbugs
Researchers in the UK and India are working in partnership to address an urgent need to stop dentists over-prescribing antibiotics.
Antibiotics are vital for treating infectious diseases but are rapidly becoming less effective across the world, as microbes evolve to resist their effects.
The University of Leeds is at the heart of international efforts to halt the rise of these ‘superbugs’.
Deaths directly due to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are forecast to hit 11.8 million in South Asia between 2025 and 2050. The prescription of antibiotics for issues such as toothache is seen as one of the key contributors.
A collaboration between the University of Leeds and Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research (BIHER) in Chennai has led to the development of a pilot community engagement study among dentists.
PhD researcher Dr Aarthi Bhuvaraghan recruited local dentists, who were supplied with a desk guide and continued professional development (CPD) module. Following this intervention, she recorded improved knowledge and a willingness to change behaviour.
“Having practised in the UK and India, I realised this is a big problem and nothing was being done about it,” she explained. “It is difficult to blame the dental practitioners because they are not aware of the damage being done but we are positive there can be a shift in behaviour.”
The CPD module is now being digitalised and will be freely available on the Indian Dental Association website. The study forms the basis of Dr Bhuvaraghan’s PhD project at the University of Leeds’ School of Dentistry.
By working with our partners in India, we have the potential to impact global policy on how antibiotics are used in dentistry.
A team effort
Dr Bhuvaraghan is supported by a multi-disciplinary team at Leeds including Professor John Walley and Dr Rebecca King at the Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development and Dr Vishal Aggarwal, Clinical Associate Professor in Acute Dental Care and Chronic Pain in the School of Dentistry.
Through the partnership with BIHER, they plan to develop further teaching and training modules for the Indian dental curriculum. They are also seeking funding to scale-up the programme to other regions of India.
Dr Aggarwal, who is Dr Bhuvaraghan’s primary supervisor and a Visiting Professor at BIHER, said: “The important work led by Dr Bhuvaraghan is ready for further testing in other regions and countries with similar issues. By working with our partners in India, we have the potential to impact global policy on how antibiotics are used in dentistry.”
Dr Aggarwal secured funding from the University of Leeds International Research Mobilisation Awards (2018) and International Strategy Fund (2023) to establish and drive forward this partnership.
He has lectured on pain intervention at BIHER’s dental school and promoted awareness of the relationship between oral health and systemic disease to medical students.
In February, the University of Leeds and Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (SBV), India, co-hosted the third International Health and Research Conference, bringing together global experts, academics and professionals to drive innovation and collaboration in healthcare and medical research.
Speakers included Professor Shearer West, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Leeds, who emphasised the importance of international partnerships in advancing health sciences.
Professor West said: “Working alongside our educational and healthcare partners in India, our researchers are demonstrating dedication and creativity in the fight against anti-microbial resistance.
“International partnerships are crucial to help us understand how health systems within communities and populations can become more effective in improving healthcare outcomes.”
